Brandes Investment Partners 13F: Adds $6.6M to GOOGL Stake

Brandes Investment Partners has boosted its position in Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL) by adding 18,479 shares, bringing its total to 353,899 shares valued at approximately $126.2 million as of May 15, 2026. This increase reflects a 5.5% change from the previous holding of 335,420 shares. The position speaks to the fund’s confidence in Alphabet, especially as shares trade at about $356.60 on the NasdaqGS.

What Changed in Brandes Investment Partners' Position

Brandes Investment Partners added 18,479 shares to its Alphabet Inc. holdings, growing its stake to 353,899 shares. The reported value of these shares is around $126.2 million. This move adds to Brandes' presence in the tech sector through Alphabet, a leading player in internet services and products.

Other Institutional Activity in Alphabet Inc.

Several other institutional investors have significant stakes in Alphabet. Blackrock Inc. grew its holdings by 13,990,545 shares, resulting in a total of 460,972,803 shares worth approximately $156.8 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 4,690,439 shares, bringing its total to 382,951,664 shares valued at about $130.2 billion. FMR, LLC also increased its position, adding 14,169,043 shares for a total of 250,714,005 shares valued at $85.3 billion. Meanwhile, State Street Corporation raised its stake by 12,715,889 shares, holding 238,977,259 shares worth about $81.3 billion.

Alphabet Inc. Stock Up 2.6%

Alphabet shares are currently trading at $356.60, slightly above the previous close of $347.64. The stock is above its 50-day moving average of $344.92, indicating some level of upward momentum. It remains well below its 52-week high of $408.61, suggesting potential for growth if market conditions remain favorable.

Recent Earnings

In its most recent earnings report, Alphabet reported a revenue of $445.87 billion, reflecting a 24.2% year-over-year growth. The company also achieved an EPS of $19.93 and a net margin of about 54.8%. The next earnings report is scheduled for October 28, 2026.

Dividend

Alphabet Inc. pays an annual dividend of $0.25 per share, translating to a yield of 0.25%. This dividend illustrates the company's commitment to returning value to shareholders, supported by a low payout ratio of 4.3%.

Insider Buying and Selling at Alphabet Inc.

Recent insider trading includes Frances Arnold, who sold 112 shares at an average price of $351.28 on June 30, 2026, totaling about $39,343.36. Additionally, SVP Philipp Schindler and President Ruth Porat bought 13,433 and 10,625 shares, respectively, on June 25, 2026. While their transaction values weren't disclosed, this activity reflects insider confidence in the company's future.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

On October 15, 2026, JP Morgan maintained an Overweight rating on Alphabet with a target price of $425.00, up from $420.00. UBS also maintained a Neutral rating, setting a target at $380.00. Meanwhile, Needham reiterated a Buy rating with a target of $450.00. The consensus among analysts currently leans towards a strong buy recommendation, with a mean price target of $430.51 based on 54 opinions.

About Alphabet Inc.

Alphabet Inc. is the parent company of Google and specializes in internet-related products and services. The company's segments include Google Services, Google Cloud, and Other Bets, providing services from search and ads to cloud computing and hardware. The changes in Brandes' stake highlight ongoing interest in tech investments as Alphabet continues to grow its market presence.

Bottom Line

Brandes Investment Partners' increased stake in Alphabet Inc. suggests a positive outlook on the tech giant's performance. With significant institutional backing and strong earnings growth, investors should keep an eye on the upcoming earnings report on October 28, 2026, as well as further filings from institutional investors.